CBSE class X and XII results came out earlier this week. As a
90% aggregate becomes as common as kissing in our movies (no big deal) and
cut-offs for good colleges become insane, we wonder if there is anyone who
hasn’t scored amazing marks. In the loudness of the voice of few high scorers,
we often forget about the majority of so-called mediocres who haven't made it
into high flying 90% list. According to the report published in THE HINDU
newspaper, only 6.6 per cent of students across the country scored above
90 per cent. That means if you are not in the list, don't get disheartened. The
majority is still with you.
Consider an average guy X, who
scored something like 65% n board exams and was not
so confident about getting a better college & a better job.
Everyone, including his parents, relatives and neighbors consoled him
that it’s not the end of the world and he has a bright future ahead. But did
they really mean it? Did they actually believe their own words
of condolence? This article is not meant to act as a balm to your low
marks. The aim is to address the majority of the students who don’t get in the
limelight because they are below 90%. But consider this:
1.
Marks are only one aspect of one’s capability – Yes marks are
important. Higher marks help you get into better branded colleges, which in
turn attract better branded companies, which in turn tend to give better
compensation (salary). After all its all about money, isn’t it? And I won’t be
giving examples of Ambani or so, and say that marks don’t matter. But if you
are an average middle class Indian, looking to make his/her living by working
for someone else, higher the marks, better the start of your professional career.
But it doesn’t means that getting a little less marks is the end of the world.
There are lot many organizations which can’t attract the top scorers from
colleges and offer jobs to the mediocre talent. But trust me, in my short
professional life of 7 years, no one has ever asked my marks after my first
job. It’s what I have learnt at my job, and what I have achieved in job is all
what matters.
2.
The game is not yet over –
The only thing high marks indicate is that the student has the tenacity and
perseverance to excel at something. Hence, I am not going to say toppers don’t
deserve praise. But life is more than just tenacity and mathematics. Exams
don’t test creativity, imagination, people skills and communication. In life
these are what matter. And who says that Google or Infosys or HUL are the only
companies offering settled life. It’s about what you are good at, what makes
you succeed. Learn and improve yourself and do your job with honesty and
sincerity. Opportunities will come over time, if you improve yourself. Not
everyone can become Sachin Tendulkar of cricket or Lionel Messi of football.
But it’s the team of 11 and the substitutes that make a team – CHAMPIONS.
3.
Changing the aptitude – Work is not a burden; it’s a game you
need to play. Play it to enjoy and the life will be a lot easier. Complaining
regularly about the system will not help, it will only increase your stress and
hence deteriorate your own health. Its difficult to believe but I have found it
helpful saying – “Either change the system and make it better, or be a part of
the system”
This is not written by a guy who secured 90-95% marks and got
admission in IIT or IIM and everything was smoothly achieved. It’s written by a
average guy belonging to same mediocre category, who has always believed in
learning and to enjoy the life – personal & professional. Today, here I am;
sitting with the guys from NITs and IITs doing the same work as I am doing and
getting more or less the same remuneration. Yes, I had to sacrifice a few years
of my life to achieve the same level, but in the end – the experience I had got
from those extra few years have made me more tough yet flexible who can get
settled more easily than these toppers of our education system.
